After 7 years, finally bit the bullet...

[DC Optix]

...and got a pair of Transitions. Totally understand now why so many patients complain that they aren't changing when they are! Can't tell hardly any difference outside :( This is just going to solidify why I tell patients it's much more of a comfort lens than a sunglass option.

[braheem24]

Cant see my eyes through them here in Florida.

[Audiyoda]

...and got a pair of Transitions. Totally understand now why so many patients complain that they aren't changing when they are! Can't tell hardly any difference outside :( This is just going to solidify why I tell patients it's much more of a comfort lens than a sunglass option.

When have they ever been considered a sunglass option?

[Jacqui]

They get nice and dark up here in the Cold Frozen North. :D

[cocoisland58]

I sell them as a convenience. I have a pair that I love when I'm on vacation, you know when you are walking the sidewalks and in and out of little shops? Or when you are doing yardwork at home but need to go in the house often. It beats switching glasses or trying to find your sun clip over and over. Mine get quite dark but more so on a day like this in Michigan where it's 35 degrees and very sunny. I wouldn't want them in my only pair of glasses but many of my patients love them.

[KStraker]

Are saying that the lens doesn't change, or you don't recognize that it has changed? Wear the lenses out side, then throw on a pair of clear glasses while you're still out there. Can you tell a difference now? Perception of the photochromic aspect is subtle, but definitely present.

[OpticLabRat]

It seems to me that the older my lenses get, the darker they get. Since they change before your eyes its hard to notice but when I look in the mirror while sitting at a stop light in the sun on my bike, I cant even see my eyes.

My lenses are a year old and they are very dark. Like grey 3 dark

[DC Optix]

When have they ever been considered a sunglass option?

Not saying I ever have, but frequently patients consider them such, which I generally downplay. I'm saying that this only solidifies my belief that they are not at all.


Yeah, they are dark when you look at them, but looking through them feels no different to me than clear lenses. I tell you, though, I'm not light sensitive AT ALL, so I think that may have something to do with it.

Not a huge fan so far. Can't say they're as dark as a grey 3 though.

[WFruit]

It's a perception issue. As was suggested, wear them outside, then switch to a clear pair. Suddenly you'll see the difference.

The issue is the gradual change. Going outside into bright light they darken, so it seems the same as if you are inside and they're lighter. Because it's a gradual change, and not the sudden shift that sunglasses are, you don't notice it, and it feels as if they haven't changed. Your eyes are getting the same amount of light both ways, so they don't feel any different.

[Happylady]

I have a pair and I know what he means. Maybe part of the problem with mine is that they are brown, not gray. And my frames are smaller then my sunglasses so more light leaks in around the edges. But my brown polarized and my Drivewear sunglasses are both much more comfortable to wear outside.

They are an improvement over clear lenses but not a whole lot.

[DC Optix]

It's a perception issue. As was suggested, wear them outside, then switch to a clear pair. Suddenly you'll see the difference.

The issue is the gradual change. Going outside into bright light they darken, so it seems the same as if you are inside and they're lighter. Because it's a gradual change, and not the sudden shift that sunglasses are, you don't notice it, and it feels as if they haven't changed. Your eyes are getting the same amount of light both ways, so they don't feel any different.

Have done so...zero difference. Can take the Transitions off, compare to naked eye, seems exactly the same. I know of the "perception" issue as I have advised pt's of such for years. The difference is not recognizable at all to me. To each his own I guess.

[Uilleann]

A few points on photochromic lenses (I think most of us know this stuff already!):

Not all lens manufacturers products will change at the same rate (Transitions .vs other name brands for example.)

Not all lens colors will darken at the same rate.

Not all lenses will darken at the same rate in different temperatures. (as a very general rule, they may tend darker in colder temps, and not as dark in warmer.)

Brown lenses can tend to feel "lighter" to the human eye, even if it has the same measured density as a grey lens.

New lenses may not darken quite as much as a slightly older lens, although this has been improved over the past several years. particularly in older lenses, a short 'break-in' period was sometimes needed before a given lens would achieve it's full darkness.

In the winter, the sun is at a lower angle relative to us in the northern hemisphere (just guessing that this is where most of us are posting from here on OptiBoard). That lower angle means that far less of the suns direct energy reaches us during this half of the year. That reduction in UV energy will often not allow a given photochromic lens to darken as much as it might during a peak summer month.

Bear in mind as well, that there are a myriad of factors that can affect the rate of change, and final density of any photochromic lens. Total time of UV exposure, time of day, amount of ambient UV in the environment, angle of lenses to UV source, temperature, age of photochromic lens, material of photochromic lens.....

All that being said, I am unaware of *any* photochromic lens that is marketed as being a direct replacement for a dedicated sun lens - particularly a polarized lens style. The usual terms (as mentioned previously in this thread) are "comfort" lenses. They usually will perform the best as an intermediary lens between a standard clear lens, and a dedicated sun lens.

All the best!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

[DC Optix]

Soooooo, went out at lunch and definitely noticed a difference! :hammer:

Still can't say it's anywhere close to a grey 3, but definitely makes me more comfortable. Sorry for getting everybody all riled up! :D

[jmchapman]

I had a pair made for free to try out Transitions, just to see what it was like. The best words to describe my experience is my eyes just felt comfortable. They would never replace my Kaenon sunglasses, but going from my car Target just gave my eyes a lot of comfort.

[Johns]

...and got a pair of Transitions. Totally understand now why so many patients complain that they aren't changing when they are! Can't tell hardly any difference outside :( This is just going to solidify why I tell patients it's much more of a comfort lens than a sunglass option.

I found out why you are having problems w/your transitions.

I just looked at where you are located! THAT's the problem!!:hammer:




:D:D:D:D:D

[DC Optix]

I found out why you are having problems w/your transitions.

I just looked at where you are located! THAT's the problem!!:hammer:




:D:D:D:D:D

:p Hilarious!

[Dougfir8]

...and got a pair of Transitions. Totally understand now why so many patients complain that they aren't changing when they are! Can't tell hardly any difference outside :( This is just going to solidify why I tell patients it's much more of a comfort lens than a sunglass option.

I have had at least four pairs with Transitions, and all changed (and still do) significantly. They are not "sunglasses", but are a lot nicer than plain clear lenses outdoors. Sell them for what they can do, don't try to sell them for the wrong reason.:bbg:

[Mactire]

Ah, Transitions. I really love the idea. But since I don't need a correction frame I only have sunglasses.

But we get a pair of glasses every year from our boss. And since my sunglass collection is growing and growing, I'm concidering a pair of plano transition lenses.

I already found a nice Nike sports frame. Now I have to wait till, march to make it ^_^

I'm really looking forward trying Transitions lenses.

Do you think that brand makes any difference in quality?
I can order Rodenstock, Essilor and Hoya.
I'm thinking mineral lenses, but it's not such a great choice for this frame I guess.

[k12311997]

Ah, Transitions. I really love the idea. But since I don't need a correction frame I only have sunglasses.

But we get a pair of glasses every year from our boss. And since my sunglass collection is growing and growing, I'm concidering a pair of plano transition lenses.

I already found a nice Nike sports frame. Now I have to wait till, march to make it ^_^

I'm really looking forward trying Transitions lenses.

Do you think that brand makes any difference in quality?
I can order Rodenstock, Essilor and Hoya.
I'm thinking mineral lenses, but it's not such a great choice for this frame I guess.

Try drivewear, or if you really want something clear indoors go with a glass photo grey

[BMH]

Another thing to consider with Transitions (and sunglasses) is the rate at which your pupils dilate behind a dark or darkening lens. Many patients will claim that their Transitions are not changing because they don't percieve it as it changes. As the lens darkens your pupil will dilate some to allow more light to get to the retina just as it does when you go from any bright to dim environment.

The above comment about switching to clear glasses or taking off the Transitions is spot on. Doing this will expose the dilated eye to brighter (uncomfortable) lighting conditions, proving that they are working! Try it and see.

This is the same reason that sunglass lenses SHOULD ALWAYS have proper UV protections built in to them. It would actually be more damaging to the eye to wear cheap, non-UV protecting, sunglasses than not wearing sunglasses at all. A dark lens without UV protection will dilate the eye and allow more UV to reach the retina. Keep in mind that tinted lens options are about comfort AND eye protection.

[JasonArdanaz]

Transitions, when dispensed carefully, can be great for patients. It is pretty neat technology to the average citizen :D.

Have you seen the commercials where the people go outside and they go from clear to 85% grey in half a second. That is the problem. We get complaints sometimes about them not darkening, or not going dark enough - but it is all perception. As long as the patient knows the limitations they will be happy 99% of the time.

[hcjilson]

Transitions was never designed to be a "sunglass lens" and shouldn't be sold as such. It was designed to change color in different light conditions and if you don't explain that up front, the customer will be disappointed. The truth of the matter is that unless the customer is highly light sensitive, the transition lens will be more than adequate most of the time. It's a great product that will only help your sales and repeat business coming from satisfied customers.

[Happylady]

Transitions was never designed to be a "sunglass lens" and shouldn't be sold as such. It was designed to change color in different light conditions and if you don't explain that up front, the customer will be disappointed. The truth of the matter is that unless the customer is highly light sensitive, the transition lens will be more than adequate most of the time. It's a great product that will only help your sales and repeat business coming from satisfied customers.

I agree with the above and I think I am very light sensitive. Lots of my patients love them.

[For-Life]

I never liked comparing the darkness of lenses. I like the comfort of lenses. For instance, there is the push in our industry to sell a lot of grey sun lenses. Why? Well grey is dark and that is what the colour does when you look through it. It takes the bright sun and reduces the brightness by bringing in more darkness.

But personally, I am not that big of a fan of grey. I prefer a brown or a grey-green lens that does not look as dark through it. I wear my brown or grey-green lenses and I cannot even tell I am wearing them. Everything looks natural. It definitely does not look dark. Yet, it eliminates the problematic brightness of the sun. Actually, I find it does a much better job than a grey lenses that has less light transmission. Why? Because it eliminates blue light.

[Mactire]

Try drivewear, or if you really want something clear indoors go with a glass photo grey

I'll concider it. But I have to stay in the basic range of lenses. Every orderd outside it I have to pay for the full 100%.

This is the same reason that sunglass lenses SHOULD ALWAYS have proper UV protections built in to them. It would actually be more damaging to the eye to wear cheap, non-UV protecting, sunglasses than not wearing sunglasses at all. A dark lens without UV protection will dilate the eye and allow more UV to reach the retina. Keep in mind that tinted lens options are about comfort AND eye protection.

That's why I call them a €5,- ticket to cataract.

...I like the comfort of lenses. ...But personally, I am not that big of a fan of grey. I prefer a brown or a grey-green lens that does not look as dark through it.

Around here in Holland about 90% of the Rx sunglass lenses sold are brown. And the "real browns" we sell I don't like. The only brown lenses I find comfortable so far are the "Serengetti" brown lenses. But I'm a big fan of gray.